Curran’s new executive order sets ‘zero tolerance’ gift giving policy for county employees

She says county government has been plagued by corruption due to lack of controls on contracting processes

MINEOLA — Nassau County Executive Laura Curran is kicking off the week by signing an executive order that establishes a zero-tolerance policy for gift-giving between vendors and county employees.

“Those who do business with the county can give no gifts whatsoever, of no price whatsoever, to anyone involved in the procurement process,” Curran said.

Gifts of any value, including meals, holiday gifts, or tickets to sporting events, are not to be accepted by Nassau County employees or family members.

Curran also introduced several administrative measures to establish ethical standards within the contracting process, including ending a prior policy of having only one person at an executive level approve contracts going through the system.

The order comes as former Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano faces state and federal charges for allegedly taking bribes and gifts from restaurateur Harendra Singh.